Bristol County, Massachusetts - Chapter 5: Military History, 1883

The Third Regiment - The Fourth Regiment - The Seventh Regiment - The Eighteenth Regiment - The Twenty-third Regiment - The Twenty-sixth Regiment - The Twenty-ninth Regiment - The Thirtyeighth Regiment - The Thirty-ninth Regiment - The Fortieth Regiment - The Forty-seventh Regiment.

The lightning had scarcely flashed the intelligence to the expectant North that Maj. Anderson and his gallant band had surrendered as prisoners of war to the Southern Confederacy, ere the patriotic sons of Bristol County were rallying to the support of their imperiled country. Men and money were promptly raised, and the record of this county during the whole struggle is one in which its citizens may justly feel a patriotic pride.

The Third Regiment. - The Third Regiment of three months' troops was composed of men from Norfolk, Plymouth, and Bristol Counties. The field-officers were as follows :

Colonel, David W. Wardrop; Lieutenant-Colonel, Charles Raymond; Major, John H. Jennings; Adjutant, Austin S. Cushman; Quartermaster, Edward D. Allan; Surgeon, Alexander R. Holmes; Assistant Surgeon, Johnson Clark ; Sergeant- Maj or, A. C. Maggi ; Quartermaster-Sergeant, F. S. Giffbrd ; all of New Bedford, except the lieutenant-colonel.

There were two companies from this county, - Company D from Freetown, known as the "Assonet Light Infantry," John W. Marble, captain; H. A. Francis and John M. Dean, lieutenants; and the "New Bedford City Guards," Timothy Ingraham, captain ; James Barton and A. S. Cushman, lieutenants.

The regiment left Bftston April 17th for Fortress Monroe, where it arrived on April 20th, and two days later became a part of the garrison of that famous old stronghold. It performed garrison duty until July 5th, when it crossed Hampton Creek and occupied the town, establishing advance posts on the outskirts. The regiment remained here, performing cheerfully its duties, which were arduous and harassing, until July 16th, when, its term of service having expired, it embarked for Boston, arriving there July 19th, and four days later, July 23, 1861, was mustered out of the service, and resumed its place as part of the militia of the State. Companies D, E, I, and M re-enlisted for three years and remained at the front.

When the call was made in 1862 for a draft of nine months' men, the regiment volunteered at once and rendezvoused at " Camp Joe Hooker," at Lakeville, and on the 22d of October, 1862, left Boston for Newberne, N. C, under command of Col. Silas P. Richmond, of Freetown.

The regiment remained at Newberne until December 11th, when it started with the expedition to Goldsboro', which lasted eleven days, during which the regiment marched more than one hundred and fifty miles. The regiment participated in the battles of Kingston, Whitehall, and Goldsboro', and had these names inscribed upon its banners.

During its service the regiment gained an excellent reputation for drill and discipline, and, in the language of Col. Jourdan, " was always ready for duty." During its brief term of service it was transported by steamer and railroad more than two thousand miles and marched more than four hundred miles. Thirteen of the regiment died in the service, two were killed, fifteen wounded, and fourteen taken prisoners.

The Fourth Regiment was one of the first to leave ' Massachusetts upon the original call for three months' men. It left Boston April 17th, under command of Col. A. B. Packard, of Quincy, for Fortress Monroe, where it arrived on the 20th. It served its term of service and returned home, and in August, 1862, reenlisted for nine months, and was sent to Camp Joe Hooker, at Lakeville, where it remained until December 17th, when it embarked for New Orleans. In March it joined the expedition against Port Hudson, and there bore an important and conspicuous part.

The Fourth remained at Brashear City until May 30th, when orders were received to report immediately to Gen. Banks, before Port Hudson. It there shared in the labors, fatigues, and hardships of that memorable siege.

In the assault on the 4th of June two of the companies - A, Capt. John Hall, of Canton, and K, Capt. W. H. Bartlett, of Taunton - were detailed with three companies from other regiments to carry hand grenades in the advance of the attacking columns. The detail was under command of Capt. Bartlett, who fell mortally wounded upon the very breastworks of the enemy, while he and his command, through a storm of shot and shell, were heroically endeavoring to scale them. Capt. Bartlett was a pure patriot and a brave soldier. The other companies also participated in the assault, but were not in so advanced a position. They were under fire, however, and were also in the battle of Bisland. In the attack of June 14th, when Capt. Bartlett was killed, the two companies suffered severely, losing in killed and wounded sixty-eight.

Upon the surrender of Port Hudson the Fourth Regiment was one of the first to enter the fort, and remained inside performing garrison duty until August 4th, when it embarked for New England, and on the 28th of the same month was mustered out of the service. The entire loss of the regiment was about one hundred and twenty-five.

The Seventh Regiment.1 - The Seventh Regiment was composed almost entirely of Bristol County men, ; and was recruited by Col. (subsequently Maj.-Gcn.) Darius N. Couch. It was officered as follows :

Company E (Scituate, Dorchester, and Marshfield). - Captain, Horace Fox ; First Lieutenant, Hiram A. Oakman ; Second Lieutenant, William W. Carsley.

The regiment rendezvoused at Camp Old Colony (now known as Bristol County Agricultural Grounds), Taunton, where it was mustered into the United States service by Capt. J. H. Marshall, U.S.A., June 15, 1861, and shortly after left for Washington, D. C, previous to which a grand collation was served them by the citizens of Taunton on Taunton Green. Going to New York by Shore Line, they embarked to Elizabethport, N. J., on steamer " Kill von Kull," where they took cars, passing through Baltimore, Relay House, and other points of interest, reaching Washington, D. C, at night, encamping near the capitol buildings till next morning, when they marched to Camp Kalorama, near Georgetown, D. C, where they remained until Aug. 6, 1861, when they marched to junction of Seventh and Fourteenth Streets, which was christened Camp Brightwood, D. C, and went into winter-quarters. During their stay there the regiment was assigned to a brigade composed of Thirty-sixth New York, Second Rhode Island, and Tenth Massachusetts Volunteers, which was commanded by Gen. Couch, and was a part of Gen. Buell's division. During their stay at this location they assisted in building Fort Massachusetts, which formed a formidable work in repelling the advance of the rebels under Gen. Jubal Earl}r later on in July, 1864; picketed Rock Creek, and learned the duties of soldiers under the successive commands of Col. Nelson H. Davis, now inspector-general United States army, Col. Joseph Wheelock, who resigned shortly after his commission, and Col. David A. Russell, the latter whom the members learned to fear, and afterwards to revere. March 25, 1862, the regiment embarked on transports for Fortress Monroe, Va., marched to Newport News, Warwick Court-House, thence to a position in front of Yorktown, where it remained until Magruder evacuated the forts, when, after severe mud marches, it arrived upon the battle-field of Williamsburg, Va., much exhausted, at 2.30 p.m.

May 5, 1862, under a severe fire, they were ordered to the support of the exhausted troops of Gen. Peck's brigade, and at nightfall relieved the One Hundred and Second Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, and without blankets or fires stood in a drenching rain during the night. At daybreak a detachment from Company K, Capt. Reed, with a detachment from Gen. Davidson's command, occupied Fort Magruder; loss, one killed, two wounded. Encamped near Williamsburg, Va., till May 9th, when marched to Roper's Church; May 13th, marched to Dr. May's farm; May 16th, marched six miles on the Richmond road; May 17th, formed a reconnoitering party under Cols. D. A. Russell and Gregg (of cavalry fame) to Bottom's Bridge ; May 19th, moved to a point on Richmond and West Point Railroad two and a half miles from railroad bridge on Chickahominy River ; from May 20th to May 24th, skirmished to Charles City road ; May 25th to 29th, skirmished to Seven Pines ; May 31st, engaged in battle of Seven Pines, or Fair Oaks; June 2d, encamped near Golding's farm, Chickahominy River; June 5th, engaged in a skirmish; June 6th, encamped on west side of railroad; June 11th, encamped near Seven Pines; June 25th, engaged in a severe skirmish with the enemy, losing, killed, the genial and warm-hearted soldiers Lieut. Jesse D. Bullock, Company B, and Private John White, Company F. Lieut. Bullock was embalmed and his body sent home to Fall River. Private White was buried near the camp. June 27th, broke camp and commenced the grand retreat of Gen. McClellan down the Peninsula; June 28th, engaged in severe skirmish with rebel cavalry near Ellis Church ; June 29th, arrived about 2 P.M., near James River at Malvern Hill ; July 2d, marched to Harrison's Landing, on James River, Va., where it remained in camp until Aug. 10, 1802, when it commenced its march to Fortress Monroe, or York River, to embark on transports to Alexandria, Va. While at Harrison's Landing the band which had so many times inspired the members of the Seventh with their fine music was, by general order of War Department, mustered out Aug. 11, 1802. September 1st, inarched from Alexandria to Fairfax Court-House, Va. Battle of Bull Run, Va. September 2d, returned to Alexandria; from September 3d to September 17th marched through Tenallytown, Rusherville, Seneca Mills, Poolesville, Barnesville, Lickettsville, Birkettsville, Boonesville, Md., over South Mountain to Antietam battle-field. As a part of a division under command of Gen. Couch, at night, September 18th, was placed in front line, the enemy retreating in the night. September 19th, moved to Sharpsburg; 20th, returned through that town to Williamsport, Md. ; 23d, encamped at Downsville, Md., remained there until October 18th, moved to Clear Spring, Hancock, Cherry Run, and Williamsport. Returned to old camp at Downsville, October 29th. November 1st. left there, passing through Berlin, crossing the Potomac, passing through Wheatland, White Plains, New Baltimore, Catlett's Station to camp near Stafford Court-House, Va. December 4th, marched to Belle Plains, Va.

marched to the Rappahannock River, about one mile below Fredericksburg, Va., where they halted until 5 P.M., when they crossed the river on pontoons under a severe fire from the enemy. The Seventh was the . second regiment to cross, acting as support to the skirmish line, and advancing about a mile farther, driving the enemy before them. They remained in this position during the night, and were subjected to a severe fire from the enemy's artillery until December 15th, when they recrossed the river and encamped near Falmouth. Loss in this engagement one killed and two wounded. December 18th, went into camp at White Oak Church, Va. At this camp the sad intelligence that their beloved colonel, David O. Russell, who had been promoted to a higher position, that of brigadier-general in Gen. Wright's (now chief of engineers, U.S.A.) division, was to leave them cast a gloom which to them seemed worse than all the reverses they had met in many battles and weary marches.

Educated at West Point, skilled in the art of war, his frontier life peculiarly fitting him for skirmish and reconnoitering duty, possessed of a warm heart, strict in discipline, but acting as a father to all in his command, while officers and men rejoiced at his wellearned and deserved advancement, they sincerely mourned his loss. He rose from the command of a brigade to a division commander, and his worth cannot be better portrayed than the remark heard by the writer from Gen. Phil H. Sheridan's lips, when he was being carried by on a stretcher unconscious and mortally wounded at the battle of Winchester, Va., Sept. 19, 1804: " Revenge for Russell ! Revenge for Russell ! No better officer ever slung a sword in the army !"' Gen. Russell's remains were carried to Salem, N. Y., where they were buried with military and civic honors. United States forts, Grand Army posts, and soldiers' children bear his name, and the name of David A. Russell will ever be revered by officers or privates whose good fortune it was to be in his command as long as a hand is left to deck the grave with choice flowers of a comrade.

From Dec. 18, 1802, to Jan. 20, 1803, remained in camp, when they participated in Burnsides' mud march till Feb. 2, 1803, when they returned to old camp at White Oak Swamp. From then to May 2, 1863, remained in winter-quarters, doing camp and picket duty.

May 2, 1803, crossed Rappahannock River into Fredericksburg at 10 p.m. May 3d, a beautiful Sabbath morn, the regiment was detached from the brigade and took position in line of battle to assist in holding the city against an attack of the enemy which was imminent, and were held in readiness to lead the assaulting column on Marye's Heights. Directly west, out of the town of Fredericksburg, was a road which finally reaches Chancellorsville, just in the outskirts of the town, less than a mile from the main street. This road ascends a hill that, while it is sufficiently steep to render the ascent toilsome, is not so steep as to render any less effective the fire of artillery and musketry. This is Marye's Hill, and at the summit of this hill is Marye's house. Near the hill a road leaves the Chancellorsville road, runs toward the south, across the front and right of the hill at its base ; the latter road had a substantial stone wall on each side of it, and these roads, with a little assistance from the spade, had been converted into excellent breastworks by the enemy. No artillery fire could touch those walls, for it was a sunken road, and though the walls were four feet high in the road, their tops were level with the surface. Behind the second line of pits rises the hill, and around its whole crest runs a well-constructed earthwork, in which was one howitzer. At the ascent of the hill it is a mere gulch, broken and stony, and an awful place for men to be packed in under a plunging fire of grape and canister in addition to musketry fire. Such was the position the gallant Seventh was to lead the assault against.

The regiment, after crossing over a small bridge, instead of being ordered to deploy and charge the enemy, were allowed to charge by the flank, and the enemy, bewildered by such a movement, reserved their fire until the regiment were in close quarters, when with artillery and musketry from rifle-pits aud houses they dealt death-blows until the regiment faltered, which was only for a moment. As fast as men were slain the depleted ranks would be filled, and those who escaped fairly waded through fire and gore, resisted by the Confederates as our men clambered over the walls and planted their colors on the crest of the hill. Col. Thomas D. Johns, who succeeded Gen. Russell, was wounded here, which was conceded by his command as a just punishment for attempting such a charge by the flank instead of deploying his men as he should. The Seventh here captured two pieces of the famous rebel Washington Artillery. The regiment, with Gen. Sedgwick's corps, pursued the enemy to Salem Heights, a distance of four miles, when from four o'clock till darkness they wrere severely engaged, sleeping on the field that night. May 4th, was again engaged, and was obliged, owing to the enemy flanking the corps and again occupying their works, on the evening of May 4th, to retreat to Banks' Ford, where they recrossed the Rappahannock. Tuesday morning, May 5th, the well-earned victory had been turned to defeat, and the result of the 3d of May carnage carried mourning into many homes in Bristol County. With a force of less than five hundred men, the loss of this regiment in this bloody field was two officers and twenty -one men killed, nine officers and one hundred and five men wounded ; Company F, on the right of the command, losing of that number two sergeants, one corporal, and four privates killed, and three commissioned officers, five corporals, and seven privates wounded. May 8th, returned to old camp near Falmouth. June 6th, again crossed the Rappahannock, and were left as rear-guard while the army were marching to Pennsylvania. June 11th to July 2d, marched towards Washington, into Maryland, and made forced marches from Frederick City, Md., to Gettysburg battle-field, where they arrived at 6 P.M. ; immediately took position in support of extreme left of line. July 3d, was moving from left to right and right to left, subjected to the terrific artillery fire of that memorable day ; here it was that Lieut.-Col. F. P. Harlow, who stood next to Gen. Russell in the esteem of the men of the Seventh, displayed his usual good judgment aud bravery by scattering his men while subjected to showers of shot and shell.

On the morning of the glorious 4th of July, 1863, which was the end of a hard-contested but well-earned victory of our nation's defenders, the regiment was ordered into position in the front line and remained until noon, when they threw up a line of rifle-pits and bivouacked for the night. On the morning of the 5th, the retreat of the enemy was followed about six miles as advance-guard, where they were ordered on picket duty. July 6th to 14th, marched to Funkstown, Md., formed line of battle, and were in time to see the abandoned wagon-trains of the enemy at Williamsport, Md. Continued the march to Warrenton, Va., where the regiment encamped until September, when they marched to Culpeper, returning to Warrenton. Nov. 7, 1863, the regiment with the Sixth Corps moved from Warrenton to Rappahannock Station, where it was under fire supporting the attack on that fort by their old commander, Gen. Russell, who carried it by storm, capturing one hundred and thirty-two officers, fifteen hundred men, four guns, four caissons, and eight battle-flags ; from there they marched to Brandy Station, Va., where winter-quarters were established. At this camp a large number of men re-enlisted for three years more. November 26th, broke camp and marched to Mine Run, Va., where the regiment was engaged in front line. December 1st, returned to old camp at Brandy Station.

Feb. 27, 1864, the regiment was with the Sixth Corps ordered to support a cavalry movement to Charlottesville, and after severe marches returned again to Brandy Station, where it remained, performing routine of camp and picket duty, until May 3, 1864, when camp was broken, and it marched to Germama Ford and Old Wilderness Tavern. May 5th, marched to plank-road in the Wilderness ; in the afternoon were placed in front line of battle, and engaged the enemy till nearly dusk, casualties numbering eighty-five. At daybreak May 6th was attacked by the enemy, Longstreet's corps. The fighting was in a dense thicket and was indecisive, both lines of the armies swaying hither and thither with the shifting fortunes of the fight. After repeated charges and retreats the Seventh were relieved and ordered to the right of the line to resist a threatening attack of the enemy. At dark moved through the Wilderness to the left, marching all night. May 7th, moved to North Anna River. May 8th, the regiment with the Sixth Corps marched to

Spottsvlvania Court-House, formed a line of battle, and at dusk charged the enemy, who was strongly posted, broke their line of battle, and captured the colorstandard, color-guard, and thirty-two men of a Georgia regiment, losing one killed, four wounded, and two prisoners. The latter were recaptured while on the way to Richmond. They held* the position gained, and bivouacked on the field. May 9th, our beloved commander, Gen. or " Uncle" John Sedgwick, was killed by a rebel sharpshooter, one of the ablest and oldest commanders of the Army of the Potomac. Both men and officers had entire confidence in his judgment and skill. May 10th, employed digging rifle-pits. May 11th, were ordered to the front on the skirmish line, where remained two days on constant duty. On the 13th rejoined brigade; rested till 2 A.M. May 14th, when marched five miles, formed line of battle left of Fifth Corps. 15th and 16th, digging rifle-pits. 17th, marched all night towards right of the army, and at daybreak May 18th charged the enemy, which was unsuccessful ; renewed the assault, but owing to strength of enemy was obliged to retire. May 19th, crossed the Ny River and encamped. Loss the 18th, six wounded. May 25th, on picket at Noal's Station. May 26th, was ordered to the extreme front near Little River ; with other regiments covered the withdrawal of the Sixth Corps, crossed North Anna River, and marched to Chesterfield Station on Fredericksburg and Richmond Railroad. May 28th, crossed Pamunkey River; 29th, marched to Hanover Court-House; four miles from there threw up rifle-pits, May 31st, near Tolopotomy Creek, from where the regiment marched at dark all night to Cold Harbor, where it arrived at 2 p.m., deployed into line, and at once engaged the enemy with success, driving them from behind rifle-pits, and occupied the field for the night. From June 3d to June 14th the Seventh were on constant duty, losing men daily under the constant fire of the enemy, and when relieved on the last day of their term of service, being then in the extreme front line, a member of Company G was instantly killed.

Having been reduced in numbers by the serious casualties of the campaign, their duties being unusually arduous, they presented a sad sight of the havoc war can make of a regiment which left Massachusetts with one thousand strong. On the afternoon of the 14th marched to Chickahominy, thence to Charles City Court-House, and finally bivouacked on the banks of the James, May 15th. Their term of service having expired, it was relieved from further duty and ordered to Massachusetts, to be mustered out of service by special orders, headquarters Sixth Army Corps, and the following was read to the command :

" As the term of service of the Seventh MassachusettH Volunteer* is drawing to a close, and as it is expected to return lo Massachusetts, the colonel commanding the brigade deems it a duty as well as a pleasure to testify to the soldierly hearing, bravery, and efficiency of the regiment up to the last day of their stay. The colonel commanding has witnessed with satisfaction the coolness and steadiness under fire of both officers and men ; the long marches, exposure, and the many hardships they have undergone since the opening of the campaign have been borne without a murmur, and has more fully established the reputation they have previously won as a regiment that could always be relied upon. They go hack to Massachusetts with thinned ranks and tattered colors, but with the feeling and the assurance that they have nobly served the cause of their country in its most trying hour. " By order of

On the morning of the 16th the regiment embarked from Wilson's Landing, James River, Va., in the dispatch steamer " Keyport," for Washington, D. O, and on following day took special train for New York ; reached Taunton June 20, 1864, and was warmly welcomed back by the citizens, who turned out en masse. June 27, 1864, the regiment was mustered out of service, and the gallant Seventh, with its laurels won on many a hard-contested field, passed into history. Herewith will be found a recapitulation of the regiment :

The surviving members of the Seventh have formed an association called the "Seventh Massachusetts Veteran Association," which meets June 15th yearly. It has some eighty members, and affords the " boys" of 1861, now gray-haired men, much pleasure to unite and rehearse war scenes of camp and battle life. Any information - as long as he is living - can be obtained of one of its youngest surviving members, H. A. Cushman, secretary of the association.

Maj.-Gen. Darius N. Couch. - The Seventh Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteers was recruited by Col. Darius N. Couch, of Taunton, who was a native of New York. He graduated at West Point in the class of 1846, and was assigned a second lieutenant to the Fourth United States Artillery. He served under Gen. Taylor in the Mexican war, and was breveted first lieutenant for gallantry at the battle of Buena Vista in 1847. He subsequently was assigned to a command in the Seminole war of 1853, and made a scientific tour in Mexico, the result of which was published. In 1855 he resigned his position in the United States army, and in 1859 became a resident of Taunton, having married the daughter of Hon. Samuel L. Crocker. At the outbreak of the war in 1861, Lieut. Crouch tendered his services to Governor Andrew, and was commissioned to raise a regiment at the call of President Lincoln for seventy-five thousand men to suppress the Rebellion. He re- cruitecl the Seventh Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteers, headquarters at Taunton, and was elected colonel. He left with his regiment for the seat of war (Virginia) in June, 1861, and joined the Army of the Potomac under Gen. McClellan, who was a classmate.

" Colonel, - I wish to express warmly and sincerely my regret that I could not make an opportunity to exchange greetings with you and your fine regiment before you left the commonwealth for the seat of war.

" My reluctance to permit any regiment to depart from Massachusetts without a chance to bid it God-speed was so great that I was even inclined to delay you for a day or two in order to secure such an opportunity, but on reflection it seemed to me unwise to postpone for a mere sentiment your call to active duty.

" I beg now to assure you that you and your command are held by the official representatives of the commonwealth in no less affectionate regard than other regiments which, by reason of their proximity to the capital, afford easier opportunities for personal interviews and acquaintances ; that we shall watch your career and rejoice in your successes with no less eager interest than that with which we follow those regiments which preceded you and those which tread in your footsteps. And to you, personally, I wish to express my thanks fur the quiet, considerate, judicious conduct which characterized your whole action in the organization of your command.

" I hope I shall hear often from you. Any support which I can afford to the regiment under its national auspices I shall be glad to extend, and I beg you never to hesitate to call back to Massachusetts whenever you need for sympathy and aid.

In August, 1861, Col. Couch, having evinced rare ability in disciplining his command, was promoted brigadier-general. On the reorganization of the Army of the Potomac he was assigned to the command of a division in Maj.-Gen. Keyes' corps, and distinguished himself in the battles of Fair Oaks, Malvern Hill, and Williamsburg, and for his bravery and gallantry was promoted major-general of volunteers, July, 1862. He participated in the battles in command of a division. At Antietam was assigned the command of the late Gen. Sumner's corps. He afterwards distinguished himself at the battles of Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville, under Maj.-Gen. Hooker. He was assigned to the command of the Department of the Susquehannah in 1863; was also in command of a division in the defeat of Gen. Hood at Nashville. He resigned at the close of the war in 1865, and was appointed collector of the port of Boston. He has resided in Norwalk, Conn., about twelve years, and for several years has held the office of adjutant-general of that State.

" This regiment is composed in great part of Bristol County men, recruited by Col. (now Brig.-Gen.) Couch, and is composed of very excellent material."

"Gentlemen, - Seeing in a Taunton paper that the 'Seventh' is to have a reunion on the anniversary of its muster into the service of the United States, it occurred that I might add a trifle to the interest of the meeting by writing a few items of history pertaining to the regimental organization.

"Your regiment, though not the very first one organized for three years' service, had a beginning, I fancy, prior to that of any other from Massachusetts.

"The 31st of December, 1860, I wrote a letter to the adjutant-general of the State to the effect that a conflict with the South was inevitable, and tendering my services to the State. Gen. Schouler answered Feb. 1,1861.

" On the20fh of April, 1861, Hon. Samuel L. Crocker introduced me to Governor Andrew, at the State-House, vouching for my services in the Mexican war. The Governor, after hearing my views, referred me to Col. Sargeant, of his staff, when the first official steps were taken to raise troops in Bristol County.

" You, the old members, all know of the enthusiasm shown in the various county towns, the squad-drills by night, and the encouragement given us by patriotic gentlemen, military committees, etc.

" Well, we succeeded in organizing ten companies, which, in a special order of his Excellency the Governor, were named respectively as constituting the Fifteenth Regiment of Infantry, First Division. The order was i if date May 21, 1861.

" An order of the same date from headquarters, First Division, Massachusetts Volunteer Militia, directed the company officers to assemble at the Parker House May 21, 1861, and to elect field-officers for the regiment. Orders from the same headquarters. May 29, 1801, stated that officers were elected, commissioned, and qualified, as follows :

"General Order, No. 12, of the Governor, May 22d, cited the President's proclamation for the raising of three years' troops, and that the quota of Massachusetts was six regiments, the Fifteenth Regiment Massachusetts Volunteer Militia being accepted by the Governor, after some delay, as the Fourth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteers, and went into Camp Old Colony to fill up the ranks and get ready for active service.

" We were soon after changed to the Seventh, an unsullied name borne in aprotracted struggle of four years, consisting of long marches, hard bivouacks, closely-contested battles, and retreats.

The Eighteenth Regiment was recruited mainly from Norfolk, Bristol, and Plymouth Counties. It was mustered into the service Aug. 27, 1861, and left for Washington on the following day, under command of Col. James Barnes. This regiment participated in the battles of Gaines' Mills, Second Bull Run, Shepardston, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Rappahannock Station, Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, and Weldon Railroad. The regiment, after a service which was distinguished for bravery and good discipline, was mustered out Sept. 2, 1864, and those soldiers whose term of service had not expired were transferred to the Thirty-second Regiment.

The Twenty-third Regiment had a few men from Bristol County. This regiment left the State Nov. 11, 1861, and encamped for a time at Annapolis, Md. It formed a part of the Ikirnside expedition, and engaged in the following battles: Roanoke, Newberne,

Ranle's Mills, Kingston, Whitehall, Goldsboro', Wilcox's Bridge, Winton, Smithfield, Heckman's Farm, Arrowfield Church, Drury's Bluff, Cold Harbor, and other battles before Richmond, and Kingston, Second Bull Run. Mustered out Sept. 14, 1864. Remustered men and recruits remained in the service under the same designation until June 25, 1865.

The Twenty-sixth Regiment was mustered into the service of the United States Oct. 18, 1861, and was mustered out Aug. 26, 1865. It had about one company from Bristol County. This regiment was a legitimate offspring of the old Sixth Regiment, which was mobbed in Baltimore. It participated in the battles of Winchester, Cedar Creek, and Fisher's Hill.

The Twenty-ninth. Regiment. - Seven companies of this regiment were among the first three years' men that left the State. They were sent to Fortress Monroe to fill up the ranks of the Third and Fourth Militia Regiments, three months' men, and when the terms of the above regiments had expired, the seven companies became known as the First Battalion of Massachusetts Volunteers. Subsequently three new companies were organized and attached to this battalion and it was made the Twenty-ninth Regiment, and Brig.-Gen. E. W. Peirce, of the Massachusetts Volunteer Militia, was appointed colonel.

The regiment participated in the battles before Richmond, Antietam, Fredericksburg, siege of Vicksburg, Jackson, Blue Springs, Campbell's Station, siege of Knoxville, Cold Harbor.

This was not a Bristol County regiment, but Col. Peirce, its commander, was and still is a Bristol County man. In one of Maj. O'Neill's reports, in referring to Gen. Peirce, he says, " Col. Ebenezer W. Peirce, who lost an arm in the battle of White Oak Swamp, has my sympathy, and in so soon rejoining his regiment for duty proved his readiness to be where a soldier should be, at the head of his regiment." It may be remarked here that Gen. Peirce rejoined his regiment and took command only sixty days after his arm had been shot off at White Oak Swamp.

Nov. 12, 1862, Col. E. W. Peirce was detailed upon recruiting service, and ordered to report to Col. Day at Boston, where he remained until relieved, and immediately resumed command of his regiment at Newport News, March 21, 1863, accompanying it to Paris, Ky., when he was, by order of Gen. Burnside, placed in command of all the Federal forces at that post, and so remained until July 20th, when he was detailed to organize the First Provisional Regiment of Massachusetts, encamped oil Long Island, Boston Harbor, and returning to his regiment at Nicholasville, Ky., August 28th, was immediately placed in command of the brigade to which this regiment was attached, and commanded the brigade in Kentucky, Tennessee, and Virginia, and while in Tennessee was for a time in command of the First Division of the Ninth Corps.

Ebenezer W. Peirce was born at Assonet village, in Freetown, April 5, 1822, and is a lineal descendant in the sixth generation from Abraham Peirce, who emigrated to America and settled at Plymouth in 1623, and died at Duxbury in or near 1673. Isaac, a son of Abraham Peirce, performed military service for Plymouth Colony in King Philip's war (1675 and 1676), for which he was awarded a land grant. Isaac Peirce died in what was then Middleborough, now Lakeville, Feb. 28, 1732, aged about seventy-one years.

Isaac Peirce left sons Thomas and Isaac, Jr. The latter, becoming a Quaker, had a family of four sons, all of whom save one left the religious faith and practice of their father ; and the oldest of these (Ebenezer by name) sent three sons into the army in the French and Indian war (1755 to 1783), and six into the patriot army of the American Revolution (1775 to 1782), of which six four became captains in that service, and one lost his life before having time to attain promotion. Of these six sons was Capt. Job Peirce, who served in both the French and Indian war and the Revolution, and who had one son in active service in the coast-guard as a major, and another as a captain in the last war with England (1812 to 1815). Capt. Job Peirce was the founder or donor of the Peirce Academy, in Middleborough, and paternal grandfather to the subject of this sketch, who upon the maternal side is of the sixth generation from Lieut. Samuel Gardiner, who distinguished himself in King William's war (1689 to 1692), and is the earliest town clerk and treasurer of Freetown of whom there remains a record, and was a principal proprietor of what is still known as Gardiner's Neck, in Swansea. The mother of Ebenezer W. Peirce was a daughter of Col. Benjamin Weaver, of Freetown, an officer in patriot army of Revolution, and a stanch upholder of the government in the Shay's war, or Shay's rebellion, so called, in 1786, and for some thirty years justice of a court, and distinguished for considerable scholastic attainments.

Ebenezer W. Peirce was educated in the common schools of his native town, Peirce Academy, Middleborough, Mass., Bacon Academy, Colchester, Conn., and Durham Academy, at Durham, N. H. He has been elected to the town offices of selectman, overseer of the poor, assessor, treasurer, collector, and school committee, and appointed to the county offices of trial justice, coroner, notary public, commissioner to qualify civil officers, public administrator, and prover of firearms, and from the President of the United States received the appointment of collector of internal revenue for the First Congressional District of Massachusetts. In the local militia of Massachusetts he has held the commissions of lieutenant, captain, major, lieutenant-colonel, and brigadier-general, and in the army in late war of great Rebellion the commission of colonel.

in Kentucky, Tennessee, and Virginia, and for a short time a division in Tennessee. His right arm was, by a cannon-ball, shot off near the shoulder on the 30th of June, 1862, of which wound he was off duty only thirty days, and participated in another battle in less than two months. He was before and during the late war largely engaged in sheep husbandry and raising of wool, and while he had on hand a very large quantity the prices of wool went up from twenty-eight cents to one dollar and eighteen cents per pound, and dropped almost as much immediately after he had sold out, for, said he, " while most people advised me to sell I would not dispose of a pound, but as soon as almost every body advised me to hold on I made haste to sell the whole and did not get rid of it a moment too soon." From youth he has given much time and attention to the reading of the Bible, making it for several years the rule of his life to read it through every twelve months, and is yet a thoroughly confirmed materialist, in whose mind reason takes the place of revelation and science has demolished superstition. Since the war he has written considerable for newspapers and became the author of several books upon local history, biography, and genealogy.

Although having attained to more than threescore years and suffered the hardships incident to nearly four years' service in the late war, more than two vears of which were performed after the loss of his right arm, he still enjoys almost unimpaired health, and is practically a comparatively young man, all of which he ascribes to a naturally strong constitution, abstemious habits, ever totally ignoring tobacco and all forms of gambling, and that he has, during the most of his life, not allowed himself to be incumbered with the burdens, sources, and anxious care of more than one world at a time.

The Thirty-eighth Regiment was mustered into the service Aug. 24, 1862, and was mustered out June 30, 1865. One company of the regiment (H) was recruited in the southeastern part of the county, principally from New Bedford, Dartmouth, and Westport. The regiment participated in the following engagements : Cane River, Mansura, Port Hudson, Opequan, Fisher's Hill, and Cedar Creek.

The Thirty-ninth Regiment was mustered into the United States service Sept. 4, 1862, and was mustered out June 2, 1865. There was one company in this regiment from Bristol County, Company F from Taunton. The Thirty-ninth participated in the following engagements: Mine Run, Wilderness, Spottsylvania, North Anna, Tolopotomy, Bethesda Church, Petersburg, Weldon Railroad, Dabney's Mills, Gravelly Run, and Five Forks.

The Fortieth Regiment had one company from this county, chiefly from Attleborough, Company H. The regiment was mustered into the service Sept. 5, 1862, and was mustered out June 16, 1865.

It participated in the following engagements : Engagements on the Blackwater, bombardments of Forts Sumter and Wagner, siege of Charleston, Olustee, Cedar Creek, Ten-Mile Run, Jacksonville, Drury's Bluff, Cold Harbor, Fort Harrison, Fair Oaks, and the several battles before Petersburg and Richmond. This was one of the best regiments in the service.

The Forty-seventh Regiment (nine months) was recruited chiefly by Lucius B. Marsh, of Boston. Company C, Capt. L. T. Starkey, was from Attleborough, and Company D, Capt. A. S. Cushman, was from New Bedford. The regiment left Boston Nov. 29, 1862, and proceeded to New York, where it remained until December 21st, when it sailed for New Orleans, arriving there on the 31st, and on the following day proceeded to Carrollton, and January 2d went into camp. The regiment remained in the defenses of New Orleans during its term of service, its loss being twenty by death. It was mustered out at Readville, Sept. 1, 1863.

The Fifty-eighth Regiment was recruited at Readville, and left for the front April 28, 1864, under command of Lieut.-Col. John C. Whiton. There were several companies from Bristol County in this regiment. The regiment joined the Army of the Potomac only a few days previous to the advance towards Richmond, and suffered severely in officers and men.

Capt. Franklyn Howland is a descendant of Henry Howland, who was in Plymouth Colony as early as 1624. It is supposed that John Howland, of the "Mayflower," and Henry were brothers. The descent comes from Henry1 through Zoeth2, Nathaniel3, James4, Thomas5, Thomas6, William", Stephen8, and Franklyn". Zoeth'ssons, Nathaniel, Benjamin, Henry, and Nicholas, were among the original proprietors and settlers of old Dartmouth. They were sturdy, well to do, highly-respected men. The Howlands of this part of Bristol County all trace their descent from three brothers. Franklyn's grandfather, William, above mentioned, married Innocent Wilber, of Little Compton, R. I., where he settled, and was frequently honored with public office. Innocent was a daughter of William Wilbor, who was born in England in 1580, and whose son Samuel was one of the original proprietors of the island of Rhode Island. Her nephew, Philip Wilbor, was formerly Governor of that State. Her cousin, Jobn Wilbor, was leader of the " Wilborite" faction of Friends. His father Stephen married Lucy P., daughter of Rev. Israel Washburn, a descendant of John Washburn, who was a resident of Evansham, county of Worcester, England, Secretary of the Council of Plymouth in England, and the first secretary of the Massachusetts Bay Colony in America. He subsequently moved with the Plymouth Colony, and was one of the original proprietors of Bridgewater, the descent being John1, John2, James3, Moses4, Moses3, Jr., Lettice6, Israel7. Rev. Israel Washburn was born in Acushnet, 24th 10th month, 1796. At an early age he took orders in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and continued in the itinerancy most of the time till he died. His last ap- | pointment by the Conference was to the Methodist Episcopal Church in Acushnet village, but he did not live to move to it.

He was an earnest advocate of all moral reforms, especially of total abstinence and anti-slavery, being classed with the Garrison abolitionists. He was for j many years a resident of Acushnet. In 1862, then seventy-two years of age, he offered his services to \ the government, and. was made chaplain of the Twelfth Massachusetts Volunteers September 1st of that year. At the battle of Antietam he contracted a disease of which he died April 23, 1864. His son, Capt. A. Gardiner Washburn, a former resident of Acushnet, a graduate of Brown University and the Albany Law School, subsequently a newspaper editor, also died of disease contracted in the service. A remarkable incident of record is that Moses, Jr., was in the Revolutionary war ; his son Lettice in the Revolution and war of 1812 ; his grandson Israel, his great-grandson A. Gardiner, and his great-greatgrandson Franklyn in the last war. A United States pension was granted on account of the last four, and the last three held the same rank.

Capt. Howland was born in Little Compton, R. I., but became a resident of Westport, Mass., the following year. His opportunities for an education were exceedingly limited. With the exception of six months, his studies were pursued in a mixed country school, " much of the time," he says, " in a house where daylight could be seen through the roof, and high winds would come through cracks in the walls with sufficient force to turn the leaves of a book." He was in school but twelve mouths after his fourteenth birthday. Since then, however, he has allowed no opportunity to pass to acquire by close observation, by careful reading, and by intercourse with intelligent minds that practical information which has given him mental power and success.

At sixteen years of age he entered the employment of an i in porting house in New York City, and continued there till the outbreak of the Rebellion. Passing down town on the evening of the 19th of April, 1861, he saw bulletined on the newspaper boards the exciting news of the attack on the Sixth Massachusetts Volunteers in the streets of Baltimore. The inherited patriotism, which had been by no means dormant, now reached a white-heat. He enrolled himself at once, being only eighteen years of age, as a private in the Fourteenth New York State Militia, of Brooklyn, where he resided. The regiment was soon ordered to the front. It passed through Baltimore very soon, and was quartered at Washington in the Senate chamber of the capitol. He was in the first battle of Bull Run, when the newspapers reported him killed, but he received only a flesh-wound. After a year's service in the Army of the Potomac (where he received his first commission), he was assigned to duty in the Department of the South with the Ninth Army Corps. A part of the time spent there he was on staff duty as assistant provost-marshal. During his service he was a prisoner of war nearly a year continuously. This time was about equally divided between Libby and Salisbury prison pens, under Winder and Wirz, and New Orleans. The hardships and privations endured here resulted in a sickness which nearly proved fatal, and left him with a partially paralyzed condition of the spinal cord. Since this event he has not stepped without assistance, and requires a constant attendant. He resigned in April, 1864, having been in service three years on the 19th of that month.

Though totally incapacitated from manual labor, his vigorous mind seeks employment. He edits the agricultural department of the New Bedford Standard, and has since the incorporation of that department in this enterprising paper, January, 1876, which department he suggested to the publishers. He has been president of the South Bristol Farmers' Club, a flourishing agricultural organization, since it was instituted. His boyhood was passed on a large farm. Since the war he has been a close observer of agricultural and horticultural pursuits, and for the past ten years a farm on which he resides, situated on the Fairhaven road, in the town of Acushnet, has been cultivated under his immediate supervision. He is actively interested in the anti-liquor and Sundayschool causes, is president of the Acushnet and vicepresident of the Bristol County Sunday-School Associations. He is now engaged in preparing for the press a genealogy of the Howland family, and is working up a complete history of Methodism within the boundaries of old Dartmouth. The use of a pen being extremely difficult, and at times impossible, much of his writing is done by an amanuensis.

He studied two years for the medical profession, but not recovering, as he had hoped, he abandoned it. He has no aspirations for political office, but was on the board of school committee of Westport for two years, and was a candidate of the anti-license faction of the. Republican party of Westport in 1869, when five of his competitors' votes would have secured his election at the polls. He was a justice of the peace for a number of years.

Capt. Howland married Emma H., daughter of Capt. James H. and Emily G. Hallett, of Barnstable, Mass. Her father was a master-mariner. They have had three children, - Grace (deceased), Le Roy, and Max. Capt. Howland is a man of pleasing address and winning magnetism. He is often called upon to address various bodies and public assemblies, and has an earnest, convincing oratory, not unmixed with humor and wit, which always serves to drive home a point. As a writer, he is graphic and concise, evincing a thorough knowledge of the subject in hand. Laboring under disadvantages which would appall many able men, his perseverance and will cause him to accomplish more actual labor than many men of per-

Our military history is closed. We have faithfully traced the history of the various regiments, and it has been our honest endeavor to place before the people of Bristol County a truthful record of her gallant sons who risked their lives in the defense of their country. We have sought to deal justly with all, and give deserving credit to each and every regiment.

While the history is a record of many of the severest battles of the war, it is not in any particular overdrawn ; it is a "plain, unvarnished tale." It has been impossible to sketch many individual acts of heroism, but these were not wanting.

Bristol County may justly feel proud of her soldiery, as no section of our country acted a more prominent or honorable role in the great tragedy.

Eighteen years have now elapsed since the close of the Rebellion, and we find our country a united and prosperous people. Sectional strife is rapidly passing away, and the same hand strews flowers alike on the graves of the Blue and the Gray.